Media Networks
Cable Networks

No other company delivers more high-quality sports content across multimedia outlets and new technologies around the world than ESPN through its six domestic and 31 international television networks, regional syndication, 11 Internet sites and broadband distribution, three radio networks, wireless content, three magazines as well as book publishing, podcasts, DVDs and more. ESPN’s ability to engage fans across media led to multiyear rights agreements, increased advertising sales, and renewed major affiliate distribution agreements for ESPN’s multiple services, solidifying ESPN’s position for years to come.

DOMESTIC NETWORKS

ESPN’s four most-distributed domestic cable television networks, ESPN (92 million households), ESPN2 (91), ESPN Classic (62) and ESPNEWS (51), which celebrated its 10th year, each enjoyed record viewing in fiscal 2006, with more people watching on a totalday basis than ever. A record 190 million people tuned in at some point during fourth quarter (FY’06) to at least one of the four networks. ESPNU, a college sports television network, launched a companionWeb site, while ESPN Deportes grew its media usage on its television, magazine, online and wireless services.

The move of Monday Night Football from ABC to ESPN has produced the largest household audience among all cable television programs ever. ESPN’s Monday Night Football “Surround” strategy with content across media and college football drove increased demand in the sales upfront marketplace. In 2007, America’s fastest-growing sport, NASCAR, returns to ESPN and ABC.

In August, ESPN became the overarching sports brand on ABC. “ESPN on ABC,” builds on the legacy of ABC Sports and capitalizes on the leading television sports brand. For 10 years, ESPN has been selected the favorite TV network among Adult Men.^* In the fall, Saturday Night Football, the first-ever weekly primetime college football series on broadcast television, won the night in ratings several times. Among the championship events on ABC in 2006 were the Super Bowl, which drew the second-largest audience in TV history; the Rose Bowl, which was the highest-rated college football game since 1987 with highlights resulting in the first and most-downloaded sports video podcast; the NBA Finals, sporting double-digit ratings increases over the previous year; and FIFA World Cup from Germany, which attracted its highest viewing ever from a non-U.S. site. ESPN utilized 22 media outlets globally for the World Cup.